May 7, 2007
Muriel, Max and I just returned from the 2007
Baptist Blitz Build in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
This is one small part of the massive Habitat
for Humanity projects to rebuild homes for
low-income families displaced by the
devastating hurricanes of 2005 (yes, it has
been almost two years).
This was not the first time volunteers from the Great Rivers Region were on the Gulf Coast. The GRR American Baptist Men’s Disaster Team was among the first responders for clean-up 18 months ago. Volunteers and entire teams have been to Biloxi, Gautier and Pass Christian, Mississippi. Many have made repeat trips. In lifting up this special project I am not diminishing the work of others. In fact, the GRR participation in the 2007 Baptist Blitz is merely a continuation of habits we have already developed.
The 2007 Baptist Blitz Build was a cooperative effort involving the Baptist World Alliance,
American Baptists Churches USA, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, District of Columbia Baptist
Convention, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Alliance of Baptists, and Canadian
Baptist Ministries. About 600 volunteers worked during the two week project. American
Baptists were the largest single group (about 200). And the Great Rivers Region was the largest
single source of American Baptist volunteers (over 60, from 14 different churches). We worked
with volunteers from California to Rhode Island to South Carolina to Canada. It was a great
fellowship!
Twelve houses in twelve days was an
ambitious goal. Unfortunately, we did not
make it. Subcontractor
delays and a day of
record rain (8 inches) put us hopelessly offschedule.
But the good news is that four
(maybe five) of the houses are 95% complete
and the others are within striking distance (in
my opinion).
Each of the homeowners was a family
displaced from the New Orleans area by the
hurricanes of 2005. Some had temporarily
lived in California, and were now coming back
Others had fled to Baton Rouge from New Orleans, and plan on staying. The
families include 17 children and retired or disabled persons. You will hear more of their stories
later.
Victoria Goff (National Ministries) was the American Baptist coordinator for this project. You had the chance to meet Victoria during the GRR Mission Conference in January. It was good to see her again in Baton Rouge. She did a great job of communication and coordination. She is already planning similar projects for next year.
I can’t say enough about the local
Habitat for Humanity staff. Twelve
houses in twelve days is an
overwhelming task. Add to that the
fact that the work was scattered over
three project sites. Add to that 600
volunteers, most of whom were
previously unknown to the Habitat
staff. Add to that the problems of
dealing with subcontractors. Add to
that the uncooperative weather. I was
encouraged by the coolness,
confidence, and competence of this
young Habitat staff—and they were
young, mostly college age men and
women. They were more patient with volunteers than the volunteers deserved. They were
flexible and committed. They were competent enough to be gainfully employed in “real” jobs,
but were passionate for the work of Habitat.
You will be hearing more later.
“Thanks” to all of you who made this possible with your prayers and generous contributions.
“Well-done” to all the volunteers who have worked on this project (and others like it)
Isn’t it GREAT to be part of the Great Rivers Region?!
You can find more:
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